I was off-road today on a slippery track with tree roots, making it a different ride, and I thought about my default braking system. Depending on the terrain, downhill and uphill will be different but on a flat (probably blue track), I am 70% back and 30%front
Back brake first to get to a comfortable speed and then front brake so I don't skid, on my back tyre or my front tyre.
Modulating your brakes gives you different dynamics depending on what you're trying to do.
For example, if you're on a descent, you can modulate the front brake to make a clean, sharp turn. The inertia in the front of the bike is proactively controlled, enabling more dynamic control over the steering.
Modulating the rear brake opens up the back, and keeps everything loose in the front. If you're on a flat descent, and don't need any hard controls, that's where you would lean towards the back brake.
For you case, I would have suggested a balance is best. You don't want the steering to get too loose going over roots, and you don't want the rear to get too tight either. You want the bike to be open, but controlled. That's like a 50/50 split, with like 50% modulation on the brakes.
I’ve heard of the 30-70 rule, but unfortunately can't remember it when I’m hanging on for dear life, praying, and becoming a believer in “the powers that be.”..:-) I usually end up doing a 50-50, use body-weight, feet, and everything to come to a halt/near halt..
During the last week's rides, I'd lose some 5,000 feet in some 10–15 miles—and then gain that elevation the next day or so— multiple times. And, I’m mentally on edge on these steep descents.
Some descents were smooth asphalt, others trails, "rocked" village roads and everything in between.
On one trail—before I met the Giant Cycle dealer and rode past his tea estate—I gripped the brakes, picked my way through steep sections, and shifted my weight just to stay upright. Some stretches were all sandy rock across the entire road, some scree and then mix of rocks, mud and such. Often, there were valleys on one side, sometimes both.
I rode through parts with little confidence, relying mostly on faith, sometimes not even that. In a few places, I was ready to let the bike go if it skidded or headed for a gorge.
On really steep sections, I kept rolling downhill because braking might have sent me over the handlebars. It wasn’t high speed—it was just the gradient and the loose terrain.
Some of these downhill sections, I just walked my bike down. The road was "rock" lined and I knew braking would not bring me to halt. So, I felt lot more safer just walking down.
I use my shoes to brake too—another reason I won’t switch to clip-ons or cages.
The Giant dealer strongly recommended I switch to hydraulic brakes. I’m seriously considering it, but I still need to convince myself I can fix them if they fail
He connected me with some of his mechanic friends here in Kathmandu (central Nepal) while he’s in eastern Nepal.
By the way, I’m a nobody when it comes to cycling here. There’s an Australian-Colombian named Corey who comes-trains here in Nepal. He rides routes in under 12 hours that even locals need two days to finish.
And, the local Nepali cyclists are much stronger and have incredible endurance thanks to constant training and conditioning.
So, I won’t even try for any sponsorship. :-)
(07-14-2025, 11:51 PM)Flowrider Wrote: ...and hopefully the Nepal Giant dealer can help you with repairs and maintenance. Maybe even a sponsorship!
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